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HKK 14/37
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Reference...
Mr. Gammaru
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15/1
Ar. Stem ter 13/1. M. Murray 18/1/69.
2.
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M. Foggm
M. Guter
12/1
Mr. Wilford.
Hong Kong -
Ineligible Trade Union Officials.
I should be quite happy to have a talk about this problem at some mutually convenient time. Much as we dislike the existing structure of the Hong Kong unions, all efforts which have been made so far to change the movement's fragmented character have failed. The very tight registration requirements and, in particular, the restrictions on the appoint- ment of officials, contribute to the fragmented character of the trade unions. The conditions in Hong Kong in this respect laid down by the law have always been much more severe than were to be encountered elsewhere in the former colonial territ- ories (there are, of course, no restrictions of any kind in the UK trade unions may employ who they like as officers).
2. I agree with Mr. Carter that at this point in time when the Communist unions are striving to regain some of the influence which they lost as a result of the 'confrontation', it would not be wise or timely to seek to induce Hong Kong to change the law in any material respect. We recently received for comment a Trade Union Registration (Amendment) Bill on which I have commented in detail to Hong Kong, Department. I drew attention to the effect of the restrictive registration procedure on the general development of the trade unions and suggested that this point should be brought out when commenting on the Bill to Hong Kong. It may be worth quoting this particular part of my comments :
The development of the trade unions in Hong Kong has been slow and although before the
'confrontation' the left-wing unions had achieved a strong position in some of the public utilities, the right-wing unions have remained lamentably weak. To a considerable extent this arises from the disinterest of workers but it has to be recognised that the very wide powers given to the Registrar of Trade Unions and the many conditions with which trade union develop- mant is hedged around, would make it difficult in any case for trade unions to develop with any real effectiveness, since the restrictions on the employment of fulltime officials are severe. I think, therefore, we are justified when commenting on the Bill to Hong Kong in referring to these relative disabilities and the need for their review periodically in relation to their effect on normal trade union development.
(GFoggon)
7 January 1970.
#1
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LAST PAPER
Mr